Match Cut's Movies to See Before You Die (or Get a Girlfriend)

[Dead & Messed Up]

I imagine if I saw Quiz Show again, it'd probably be up there for the list.

I like everything about it except Rob Morrow's Dick Goodwin. He's fine in the role, but his part is awfully boring compared to the moral struggles going on with Stempel and Van Doren.

[transmogrifier]

Corrections to a project this massive are probably going to be annoying, so apologies in advance.

But this is #49 on my list.

Somehow I left you off for this film, even though it is there in the database......maybe I tallied before formatting the titles - anyhow, all corrections are very, very welcome as I'm sure there are more, and it is no problem to change them.

[transmogrifier]

#472. The Scarlet Empress (Josef von Sternberg, 1934)
List mentions: 2
Average ranking: 75
Highest ranking: 75 (Kurious Jorge)


#471. Carnival of Souls (Herk Harvey, 1962)
List mentions: 2
Average ranking: 75
Highest ranking: 59 (Boner)


#470. Peeping Tom (Michael Powell, 1960)
List mentions: 2
Average ranking: 74.5
Highest ranking: 63 (fasozupow)


#469. Misery (Rob Reiner, 1990)
List mentions: 2
Average ranking: 73.5
Highest ranking: 51 (Daniel Davis)


#468. Terminator 2: Judgement Day (James Cameron, 1991)
List mentions: 2
Average ranking: 73.5
Highest ranking: 48 (Ezee E)


#467. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (John Huston, 1948)
List mentions: 2
Average ranking: 72.5
Highest ranking: 70 (jamaul)


#466. Le Trou (Jacques Becker, 1960)
List mentions: 2
Average ranking: 72.5
Highest ranking: 64 (Boner M)


#465. The Wanderers (Philip Kaufmann, 1979)
List mentions: 2
Average ranking: 72.5
Highest ranking: 50 (fasozupow)


#464. The Set-Up (Robert Wise, 1949)
List mentions: 2
Average ranking: 72
Highest ranking: 60 (Philosophe Rouge)


#463. The Incredible Shrinking Man (Jack Arnold, 1957)
List mentions: 2
Average ranking: 71.5
Highest ranking: 66 (Dead & Messed Up)


#462. My Neighbors the Yamadas (Isao Takahata, 1999)
List mentions: 2
Average ranking: 71.5
Highest ranking: 60 (dreamdead)


#461. A Matter of Life and Death (Michael Powell, 1945)
List mentions: 2
Average ranking: 71.5
Highest ranking: 58 (Kurious Jorge)

[transmogrifier]

Random facts:

*The oldest film on the list is from 1916. The only years not represented after this are 1917-1919, 1922 and, not surprisingly, 2009.

* Number of films on the list = 507
% of those directed by women (including co-directors) = 1.4
Highest ranking for female-directed film on the list = 157

[dreamdead]

#462. My Neighbors the Yamadas (Isao Takahata, 1999)
List mentions: 2
Average ranking: 71.5
Highest ranking: 60 (dreamdead)

Boo-yah. I could watch this film on any rainy day and always be sated.

% of those directed by women (including co-directors) = 1.4
Highest ranking for female-directed film on the list = 157

Cleo from 5 to 7, The Piano, or Lost in Translation? Hm, the hard money's on Coppola, though I probably should have given Varda more love here.

[Ezee E]

I'll say American Psycho is the highest rated film directed by a woman.

[Raiders]

I'll guess Meshes of the Afternoon.

[Mysterious Dude]

It's too bad there aren't more great films made by women. I wonder what's holding them back.

I used to think Carol Reed was a woman.

[Raiders]

It's too bad there aren't more great films made by women.

I think I would drop the word "great," and just make it that it is too bad there aren't more films made by women. It is rather strange. Maybe something genetically that women do not pursue the art of filmmaking as much as men do, or perhaps simply a history of the marginalization of women. However, I do think that from what I have seen their percentage of "great" movies is every bit as high as men. There is just a much smaller pool to choose from.

[Qrazy]

I think I would drop the word "great," and just make it that it is too bad there aren't more films made by women. It is rather strange. Maybe something genetically that women do not pursue the art of filmmaking as much as men do, or perhaps simply a history of the marginalization of women. However, I do think that from what I have seen their percentage of "great" movies is every bit as high as men. There is just a much smaller pool to choose from.

Examining the history there's no reason to believe in any genetic factor it seems primarily to be one of marginalization, both in general but particularly in this industry.

Also my guess is The Ascent will be highest.

[balmakboor]

Maybe I'm wrong. I often am. But aren't there far more "left wing" filmmakers (especially documentary filmmakers) than "right wing" ones? Is it something about filmmaking not exactly being the most financially practical line of work to go into? For every "Fahrenheit 911" and "Taxi to the Dark Side," why don't we have a well-made doc just as far to the other end of the spectrum?

[Ezee E]

Maybe I'm wrong. I often am. But aren't there far more "left wing" filmmakers (especially documentary filmmakers) than "right wing" ones? Is it something about filmmaking not exactly being the most financially practical line of work to go into? For every "Fahrenheit 911" and "Taxi to the Dark Side," why don't we have a well-made doc just as far to the other end of the spectrum?

I don't think you two are thinking of the same thing.

[balmakboor]

I don't think you two are thinking of the same thing.

No, just a random change of subject on my part.

[Ezee E]

But, to Raiders' idea, I still think that the Film world is a man's world behind the scenes. We hear more female producers, but I'm curious as to what that percentage is as well. I can't even think of a female cinematographer.

Despite the liberalism of the filmworld, I don't think male producers tend to feel comfortable having a female in charge of a huge project. Are there any that have done a project over $100 million?

[Sycophant]

There's quite a number of female editors, designers, producers, etc., but the number of female screenwriters and directors is embarrassingly low.

Considering all the women I've known interested in those positions, it seems unlikely that the reason for this number has anything to do with any kind of female aversion to these professions.

[balmakboor]

Are there any that have done a project over $100 million?

I guess I can't. I thought maybe Kathryn Bigelow but no. IMDB doesn't list a budget for Across the Universe.

[Sycophant]

IMDB doesn't list a budget for Across the Universe.

$45 million.

45 million is also the number of iPhones expected to have sold by the end of 2009. Spooky!

[balmakboor]

I do worry about this gender bias. My niece is going into filmmaking and will be traveling to NY to check out NYU in a few weeks. Tuition alone is $50,000 per year. Her mom has $8000 per year available and is considering taking out a loan for the other $42,000. Wow! Sounds like a too big of a gamble to me. I'd hate to be a woman going into the industry already $168,000 in debt.

[Derek]

Maybe I'm wrong. I often am. But aren't there far more "left wing" filmmakers (especially documentary filmmakers) than "right wing" ones? Is it something about filmmaking not exactly being the most financially practical line of work to go into? For every "Fahrenheit 911" and "Taxi to the Dark Side," why don't we have a well-made doc just as far to the other end of the spectrum?

The rejuvenation of the documentary came in what, '02 or '03? I think a lot of filmmakers were inspired or disgusted with the Bush Administration over the past 8 years that alone goes a long way in explaining the overwhelming imbalance. Also, conservatives generally tend to defend the status quo, stand for more traditional values, believe in limiting the powers of government, arguing for self-reliance over collective improvement. Political films generally tend to challenge the way things are, stick up for the disenfranchised and question the powers that be. The status quo needn't defend itself, only show the dangers of change/progressivism/what have you or, even better, say nothing at all and hope people accept the way things are. Which they often do. I simply don't think the documentary form is really suited for its needs like it does more progressive filmmakers. You have your Tyler Perry's and Fireproof's as narrative film examples and certain news programs/networks as other. Hardcore right-wingers have tried comedy and if you've seen the short-lived right-wing rip-off of The Daily Show or An American Carol (I've only seen clips, but based on that and word of mouth, it's awful), you'll know why there aren't more.

But, to Raiders' idea, I still think that the Film world is a man's world behind the scenes. We hear more female producers, but I'm curious as to what that percentage is as well. I can't even think of a female cinematographer.

Agnes Godard, but most of her work is with Claire Denis. I can't think of any others.

[NickGlass]

Agnes Godard, but most of her work is with Claire Denis. I can't think of any others.

A woman, Maryse Alberti, was the DP for The Wrestler. Do you know that a woman has never been nominated for Best Cinematography at the Academy Awards? Insanity.

[Raiders]

Do you know that a woman has never been nominated for Best Cinematography at the Academy Awards? Insanity.

A woman has only been nominated three times for Best Director. And we have already determined there are far more women directors than cinematographers. Hollywood has never been accepting it seems of women directors. Call it a "glass ceiling" if you will. How many women directors can you think of from classic--hell, even up to the 90s--Hollywood movies?

[Ezee E]

Kathryn Bigelow and Penny Marshall are the only ones that come to mind pre-90's.

Amy Heckerling.

Uh...

[Watashi]

Agnes Varda

[soitgoes...]

The only classic Hollywood female director I can think of is Ida Lupino.

[MadMan]

I've seen 17 films off of the current list so far. And I must admit that I have seen very little from actual female directors myself. Only Point Break and American Psycho come to mind; I have yet to view anything from Sofia Coppola.